The Boston Post Cane

Origins of the tradition

On August 2, 1909,  Mr. Edwin A. Grozier, Publisher of the Boston Post, a newspaper, forwarded to the Board of Selectmen in 700 towns* (no cities included) in New England a gold-headed ebony cane with the request that it be presented with the compliments of the Boston Post to the oldest male citizen of the town, to be used by him as long as he lives (or moves from the town), and at his death handed down to the next oldest citizen of the town.  The cane would belong to the town and not the man who received it. The custom of the Boston Post Cane took hold in those towns lucky enough to have canes. As years went by some of the canes were lost, stolen, taken out of town and not returned to the Selectmen or destroyed by accident.

In 1930, after considerable controversy, eligibility for the cane was opened to women as well.

Town of Troy - Boston Cane

Troy continues to award their Boston Post Cane. In 2009 at their Old Home Days celebration it was presented to Iver Olson by members of the Troy Select Board. (via emails from Barbara Wingardner and Catherine Callegari). Troy’s original cane is kept on display at the Troy Historical Society and the town provide the recipient with a Certificate of Appreciation.